How to Connect Ceiling Mount Speakers to a Sound System

Ceiling mount speakers offer improved listening enjoyment.

Many home entertainment systems include rear-projection speakers for surround sound. This design provides the maximum sound coverage that is adaptable to both music and movie soundtracks. In some cases, there may not be sufficient floor space for the rear speakers. Some people may just want to have ceiling mount speakers as part of an overall décor scheme. Connecting ceiling mount speakers to a sound system requires a certain amount of planning, as well as some knowledge of electronics and carpentry.

Things You'll Need

• Ceiling mount speakers with mounting hardware (provided by manufacturer)
• Ladder
• Ballpoint pen
• Electric drill
• ¼ inch drill bit
• Screw bit
• 10 gauge AWG speaker wire
• Speaker wire fasteners with screws
• Wire cutters
• Wire strippers

Instructions

1. Place the ladder where the first ceiling mount speaker will be installed. Take the mounting flange from the manufacturer's hardware kit and the ballpoint pen up the ladder and place flange against ceiling. Use pen to mark holes in the flange where screws will be placed.

2. Retrieve drill with ¼ inch bit and drill pilot hole in markings for flange screws. Retrieve screws from hardware kit, screw bit for drill and one ceiling mount speaker.

3. Place the flange on the speaker, hold against the ceiling, and drill mounting screws through the flange holes to attach speaker to ceiling. Move all materials with second ceiling mount speaker to next desired location. Repeat installation steps for previous ceiling mount speaker.

4. Attach 10 gauge speaker wire for both outputs to amplifier (depending on the amplifier, this may involve either simply connecting the speaker wire to posts on the amplifier or soldering the correct type of connecting plug to the speaker wire). Run wires to wall behind amplifier and secure to wall or baseboard using a drill with screw bit and speaker wire fastener with screws.

5. Run wires along bottom of wall to nearest corner. Attach to wall or baseboard with fastener. Run wires up corner, attaching to wall with fasteners up the length of the wall to ceiling using ladder.

6. Run wires along ceiling to corner nearest ceiling mount speakers, using ladder and fasteners. Run wires to first mounted speaker location.

7. Use wire cutters to cut one wire to attach to first ceiling mount speaker. Strip 3/8 inches from end of wire and attach to both live and ground speaker terminals (like the amplifier, this will be a simple connection or will require soldering). Run remaining speaker wire to second mounted speaker. Cut and strip wire and attach to speaker.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people may wish to run speaker wires above drop ceilings. This will require cutting a small hole in the ceiling for the wires, an extension tool to run the wires inside the ceiling and a hole saw to cut holes for the ceiling mount speakers.

• Some people may wish to cover exposed speaker wire. There are several products available for housing wire runs. The come in a variety of styles and colors for matching to décor schemes.

• There are other speaker mount types available. Many require attachment to the speakers before mounting on the ceiling.

• There are adhesive-type wire fasteners available. Screw-type fasteners are recommended, because they leave less surface damage if and when speaker wires are removed from walls and ceilings.

• Although smaller speaker wire gauges are recommended for best overall sound quality, these gauges begin to lose sound integrity over lengths greater than 5 feet. 10 gauge wire is best for running wire lengths of 50 feet or more.

References

• Crutchfield: Speaker Wire: Choosing and Installing
• Audioholics: Recommeded Cable Distances Vs. Gauge